Lexington City Hall

Lexington city council members continue to investigate where best to house government offices in the future. City leaders have debated building a new city hall for years. Tuesday council members heard a consultant’s report on recommendations to address exterior issues on the current government center.

Lexington city leaders continue to deal with maintenance issues at city hall. On Tuesday the council gave initial approval to study the 12-floor building’s elevator system.

Facilities and Fleet Management Director Jamshid Baradaran said projects could be tackled one at a time. “Maybe identify one side of the building that is in worst shape than the others and try to break this down,” explained Baradaran.

Baradaran said replacement of all elevators would run $2 million to $3 million.​

Lexington’s Recycling Center remains shut down after the installation of a new part didn’t fix the problem. The sorting facility off Manchester Street closed last Thursday.

Angela Poe in Environmental Quality and Public Works said it’s unclear when the Recycling Center will re-open. She said the staff is working with the manufacturer of the part. “We’re working with them to figure that out, but without knowing what’s wrong and what parts we need, it’s real hard to put a time table on this. But, it is a top priority to get the Recycle Center back up and going,” said Poe.

Lexington city leaders will revisit a potential site for a new city hall. Council members voted 8 -$ Tuesday to have engineers meet with them in November to hear about constructing government offices above the current transit center.

The Lexington city council has voted down a proposal to relocate city hall in the Herald-Leader building at the corner of Main and Midland. The dramatic vote came after weeks of wrestling over the matter.

While this plan to repurpose the long-time home of the local newspaper got traction this summer, the idea of finding or building a more suitable site for city government has surfaced off and on for years. But, when it came time to vote, Vice Mayor Steve Kay, an ardent supporter of the proposal, said the votes weren’t there.

Lexington’s city hall is likely to be a bit quieter this week, as council members continue on their summer break. A couple of issues, one a tradition every year and another, a newer hot topic will be first on the agenda come August.

The future of Lexington’s city hall has been a topic of discussion for many years. It’s been talked about off and on, but never gotten on a council docket for action. That could change this summer. But, it remains a difficult issue on which to get consensus.

The city hall talk turned much more serious this year when the call went out for proposals from developers. Four were given consideration and an independent committee recommended a city hall move, through a lease arrangement, to the Herald-Leader building at the corner of Midland Avenue and Main Street.

Seven people are vying to serve as Lexington’s next mayor. Tuesday’s filing deadline brought a number of last minute filers to the Fayette County Clerk’s office.

Among them are former Lexington Mayor Teresa Issac and former Lexington Police Chief Ronnie Bastin. Also in the crowded field are current Urban County Council Kevin Stinnett and former Lexington Council Member Linda Gorton.

A new snow removal law for residential sidewalks in Lexington could be in place this winter. The ordinance got initial approval Tuesday.

The proposal would require homeowners to clear sidewalks within 48 hours after a snowfall of four or more inches. The law would only effect properties on already-cleared streets. Council member Peggy Henson cast one of the 11 votes in favor of the ordinance, saying, “I do not want to see another year of people walking in the middle of the street, trying to get to their bus stops or to work."

Kentucky lawmakers will be asked in 2017 to consider additional measures to combat the state’s significant heroin-related drug problem. Details came Friday afternoon at a news conference at Lexington City Hall.

Many Kentucky communities have seen numerous overdose deaths related to Fentanyl-laced opioids. Legislation pre-filed before the coming session seeks to amend the state’s drug laws to create penalties for dealers of Fentanyl, Carfentanil, and other designer drugs.

While construction is not slated to begin until 2018, Lexington’s Town Branch Commons trail and park project continues to get attention downtown. It’s on Tuesday’s agenda of the Urban County Council.

Jonathon Hollinger is senior administrative officer in planning, preservation, and development. He says council is being asked to approve a memorandum of understanding with the city, Bluegrass Community Foundation, Lexington Center, and the Downtown Management District.

Lexington citizens will have an opportunity to offer their thoughts about local police Monday night. It’s all part of the national accreditation process. The city hall meeting will include members of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Sargent Ann Welch is with the Lexington Division of Police. “We feel like we do have a good relationship with our community and we’re very proud of that. But again, there’s always room for improvement. So, that is why we do like the commission come in and review our practices,” said Welch.

Lexington city officials are talking with Central Library administrators about a potential move for city hall. It’s considered a ‘very early’ discussion.

A joint statement comes from Public Library Director Ann Hammond and Lexington Chief Administrative Officer Sally Hamilton. It reads that the city and library are exploring the possibility of the city buying the Central Library building for a new city hall.

Lexington officials say homelessness in the community has dropped by a quarter since 2014. The annual “point in time” count conducted each January shows chronic homelessness has been cut in half. Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Director Charlie Lanter says ongoing efforts need to focus on housing shelter residents.

He says living in a homeless shelter is still considered homeless, “We’ve really had to put the emphasis on how do we help get people not just off the streets, but also out the shelter and into housing.”

A proposal to increase the minimum wage in Lexington is up for a final vote by city council on thursday. An eight to six vote in late October put the plan on the docket. Council member Jennifer Mossotti is the proposal’s sponsor. She says she’s unaware if any members have since changed their minds. “I have not heard from any of my colleagues that were supportive before that they’ve changed their position,” said Mossotti.

Incoming Lexington Social Services Commissioner Chris Ford says the goal in his new position is to excel in existing programs, while further expanding in areas like drug abuse and violence intervention. Ford is giving up his seat on the Lexington Council to serve in the position.

The issue has been a prominent topic at Lexington city hall. Two ride sharing firms, Lyft and Uber have been offering pick up service to area citizens for months.

Urban County Council Member Peggy Henson says the state rules seem to cover the pressing issues. "The driver backgrounds, the drivers' insurance, the records of vehicle inspections. And it goes on and on and on," said Henson.